Vital Statistics

The information requested on this form is required for advanced planning and at-need services.  Complete the form as best you can.  We will assist in making any corrections during the arrangement conference.

Demand & Authorization for Release

This form is necessary. It gives us permission to have your loved one transferred from place of death to Colma Cremation & Funeral Services.

Declaration by Authorizing Agent

Right to control disposition of Human Remains by Legal Next of Kin, Agent for Advance Directives or Public Administrators.

Authorization for Disposition With or Without Embalming

Colma Cremation and Funeral Services does not offer embalming.  Embalming is not required by law in the state of California. Refrigeration is required within 24 hours of death. You can have a viewing without embalming.

Declaration for Disposition of Cremated Remains

This form is necessary because it provides choices for disposition of cremated remains. There are 3 choices – 1. Take them home. 2. Place in a cemetery. 3. Scatter at sea.

Pacemaker or Other Explodable Device

This form is required to declare that the patient does or does not have a pacemaker. The pacemaker must be surgically removed by the funeral home prior to cremation, not burial.

Disclosure of Preneed Funeral Agreement

This form is required. It informs you that prepaid funeral or cremation services exist and that we have the original records.

Authority to Cremate

Most cremations at Colma Cremation & Funeral Services are performed at Irvington Memorial Crematory. Important – this form must be completed in BLUE INK ONLY and the original be returned to us by mail to Colma Cremation & Funeral Services.

How Many Death Certificates Should I Order

This form helps you to determine how many Death Certificates you may need and answers questions regarding Death Certificates.

About Social Security Benefits

We are required to notify Social Security of the death date, birth date and surviving spouse information by fax on a form they provide to us. Social Security pays a $255 lump sum Death Benefit to a surviving spouse only. Social Security may provide other services. For more information, please go to their website: www.ssa.gov.

About Veterans Benefits

All Veterans are entitled to Veterans' Benefits at no cost:

• Placement of casket or urn in a National or VA Cemetery.
• United States Flag.
• Military Honor Guard, Flag Folding Presentation and Taps Performance with Rifle Squad - 21 Gun Salute (for retired or higher ranking veteran) at a location specified by the survivors.
• Reimbursement for transportation for your loved one when death occurs in a VA Hospital.
• Headstone or marker when placed in a cemetery.
• Presidential Memorial Certificate.
• All Veterans, from any branch of the service, are entitled to a free scattering by the Navy.
• Colma Cremation & Funeral Services honors Veterans and assists in requesting and scheduling Veterans' services with Honor Guard in a National or VA Cemetery or a Non-Military Cemetery..

Veterans’ benefits require proof of service: a DD214 or a Military Discharge Paper. We are able to help you coordinate these benefits. For more information, please go to their website: www.cem.va.gov.or www.vba.va.gov/survivors

Transporting the Deceased

Traveling with Crematory Remains

We understand how painful losing a loved one is, and we respect anyone traveling with crematory remains. Passengers are allowed to carry a crematory container as part of their carry-on luggage, but the container must pass through the X-ray machine. If the container is made of a material that generates an opaque image and prevents the security screener from clearly being able to see what is inside, then the container cannot be allowed through the security checkpoint.

Out of respect to the deceased and their family and friends, under no circumstances will a screener from the airlines open the container even if the passenger requests this to be done. Documentation from the funeral home is not sufficient to carry a crematory container through security and onto a plane without screening.

You may transport the urn as checked baggage provided that it is successfully screened. The airlines will screen the urn for explosive materials/devices using a variety of techniques; if cleared, it will be permitted as checked baggage only.

Some airlines do not allow cremated remains as checked baggage so please check with your air carrier before attempting to transport a crematory container in checked baggage.

Crematory containers are made from many different types of materials, all with varying thickness. At present, we cannot state for certain whether your particular crematory container can successfully pass through an X-ray machine. However, we suggest that you purchase a temporary or permanent crematory container made of a lighter weight material such as wood or plastic that can be successfully X-rayed.

Traveling with Caskets

Please check with air carrier to determine their policies and procedures.

More Information